HYDERABAD, Sept 20: The Hyderabad circuit bench of the Sindh High Court on Saturday issued notices over a constitutional petition to DCO of Dadu, deputy inspector general of police Hyderabad, district police officer of Dadu, SHO of Johi police station, executive engineer of provincial buildings and a number of other officials to appear in court on Oct 15.

The petitioner Ali Sher Rind, who is being represented by Nazeer Ahmed Bhatti, said that he owned agricultural land measuring eight acres and six ghuntas in Deh Noonari Tapa Dar Macchi.

The land was under cultivation and was being irrigated by a watercourse fed by Tel Minor Dadu Canal branch. The respondents planned to plot a scheme for the construction of highway patrolling post at Johi Barrage and a work order was issued by the respondents and contract was awarded to Abdul Hakeem for the construction of the post at Johi Barrage. He said that on Nov 14, 2007 DPO of Dadu issued a letter to the DCO of Dadu asking him to provide plots to a government contractor for carrying out requisite work.

He said that about two and a half months ago the respondent Abdul Hakeem with some labourers criminally trespassed into plot Nos 464, 464-A and B and started excavation work. When he and his brother Mubeen resisted, Abdul Hakeem brought SHO Adam Khan Abro of Johi police station to forcibly occupy an area of six ghuntas from for the construction of patrolling post.

He said that the DPO of Dadu disclosed that the petitioner’s land had been acquired by the SHO and executive engineer and such paper had been filed before assistant engineer and when he demanded production of document, the SHO issued threats.

He said that the occupation and use of petitioner’s land for construction of highway patrolling post was therefore illegal and amounted to usurpation of private property.